Kraków for (almost) free: a one-day walking tour
Budget tight? Kraków’s best experiences don’t require a ticket. This route covers the city’s essential sights without spending more than a coffee and a meal. You’ll walk about 10-12 kilometers, so wear comfortable shoes.
Flying to Kraków
John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice is 11 kilometers west of the city center, serving over 8 million passengers annually. If you’re coming from anywhere in Europe, chances are excellent you’ll find a direct flight.
If direct flights to Kraków don’t work with your schedule or budget, you have two excellent alternatives. Warsaw Chopin Airport offers fast train connections to Kraków in just 2.5 hours, and combined flight plus train tickets often compete favorably with direct flight prices. Closer still is Katowice Airport, located about 80 kilometers from Kraków. Regular buses connect Katowice Airport to Kraków in roughly 90 minutes, making it a convenient option if you find better flight deals or connections through this increasingly popular regional hub.
If you are not from Europe, feel free to use any route that suits your convenience.
Taking the train
There’s something deeply satisfying about arriving in a medieval city by train, and Kraków Główny (the Main Railway Station) offers excellent connections across Europe. The station itself is newly renovated with excellent facilities, making it a pleasant place to start or end your journey.
Kraków Główny connects directly to cities like Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Warsaw, and places you right next to the Old Town. Booking in advance can unlock significant discounts, especially on longer international routes.
Travelling by bus
Long-distance buses offer budget-friendly alternatives to trains and flights, and modern coaches have come a long way in terms of comfort. FlixBus operates an extensive European network with WiFi and power outlets. RegioJet runs premium bus services to Prague and Vienna in addition to their train services. Lux Express handles Baltic connections, while Polski Bus covers domestic Polish routes.
From the airport to the city
Once your plane touches down at Kraków Airport, you have several excellent options for reaching the city center. The rail connection between the airport and Kraków Główny Main Railway Station is genuinely the best choice for most travelers. Trains depart every 30 minutes, take just 17 minutes, and the station is directly connected to the airport terminal. Just follow the clear “Railway Station” signs. From Kraków Główny, it’s a pleasant 10 to 15 minute walk to the Old Town, or you can hop on a tram.
Bus line 208 runs 24/7 between the airport and the Main Railway Station, taking 35 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Line 252 connects to various city districts and is useful if your accommodation sits outside the center.
For taxis and ride-sharing, official airport taxis have fixed rates to the city center around 89 PLN. Uber and Bolt operate in Kraków with typical airport-to-center fares of 40 to 60 PLN. Always use official taxi ranks or pre-booked services to avoid overcharging, which unfortunately still happens to tourists.
Getting around the city
Here’s something you’ll love as a WordCamp attendee: you get free public transportation with your conference badge. Kraków’s public transport system (MPK) is efficient, affordable, and well-integrated, consisting of trams and buses that cover the entire city. Normally you’d need to buy tickets and validate them, but your conference pass means you can hop on and off without worrying about fares.
For navigation, Google Maps is excellent for route planning and includes real-time public transport information. Jakdojade is a popular Polish app with detailed public transport information and offline capabilities if you want to save on data roaming. Both work seamlessly with Kraków’s transport network.
Taxis and ride-sharing apps
For getting around when public transport doesn’t quite fit your needs, Uber and Bolt both operate in Kraków. Bolt is often cheaper than Uber, though prices vary by demand. FREE NOW (formerly my taxi) is another reliable option. For traditional taxis, use only official companies like Radio Taxi (telephone 19191) or taxis from designated ranks. Starting fare runs around 8 PLN, then roughly 3 PLN per kilometer.
A word of warning: avoid unlicensed taxis around the Main Market Square. They charge outrageous prices and give legitimate drivers a bad name. Stick with apps or official taxi ranks and you’ll be fine.
Accessibility considerations
Modern trams and buses feature low floors and designated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers, making most of the public transport network quite accessible. However, some older vehicles remain in service, so there’s occasional variability. The Old Town’s historic cobblestones can be challenging for wheelchair users and anyone with mobility considerations. It’s worth planning routes that stick to smoother surfaces where possible.
Safe travels, and see you at WordCamp Europe 2026!